A social media claim that President Hakainde Hichilema travelled to the United Arab Emirates for emergency medical treatment is false. Official government communication confirms that President Hichilema travelled to the UAE for an official working visit at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit includes bilateral engagements, investment and business discussions, and other official activities.
Claim
A post published on 27 September 2026 by the Lily Mutamz TV Facebook page and subsequently circulated on other social media platforms claimed that President Hakainde Hichilema had been diagnosed with cancer, which had allegedly “spread”, and that he was travelling to Dubai for emergency medical treatment.
The post further claimed that the President’s health was deteriorating and that Vice-President Mutale Nalumango would act as Republican President during his absence.
Verdict: False
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia reviewed the claim and cross-checked it against official government communication and contemporaneous reporting on President Hichilema’s travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The claim is false.
The Ministry of Information and Media, through its official communication channels, dismissed the circulating information alleging that President Hichilema had been diagnosed with cancer and was travelling to Dubai for medical treatment. The Ministry advised members of the public to disregard the claim and rely on information issued through official government channels.
The claim is also contradicted by the official announcement concerning the President’s visit to the UAE.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, President Hichilema travelled to the UAE at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for a two-day working visit. The announced programme includes an official bilateral meeting with the UAE President, discussions on matters of mutual interest, the signing of Memoranda of Understanding, a Zambia-UAE Business and Investment Forum, engagement with UAE business leaders and a meeting with the Zambian community in the UAE.
President Hichilema subsequently arrived in Abu Dhabi, where he confirmed that he had arrived safely for the working visit. Reporting from Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and other Zambian media also identified the purpose of the visit as official engagements focused on investment, private-sector growth, value addition and industrial development.
The social-media claim also incorrectly described the destination as Dubai. The President’s reported destination for this visit was Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
Conclusion
The claim by the Lily Mutamz TV Facebook page that President Hakainde Hichilema had been diagnosed with cancer and was travelling to Dubai for emergency medical treatment is false.
The allegation is not supported by credible evidence and is contradicted by official government communication identifying the President’s UAE travel as a working visit undertaken at the invitation of the UAE President. The President’s arrival in Abu Dhabi and the publicly announced programme further confirm the official nature of the visit.
The claim illustrates the importance of verifying information about public officials, particularly claims concerning health and other sensitive personal matters. Members of the public are encouraged to check official government communication and other credible sources before accepting or sharing such information.
Evidence
- Ministry of Information and Media response:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FQ5QkoB4A/ - Official communication concerning the UAE visit:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19TbQadUbT/ - Confirmation/reporting of the President’s arrival in the UAE:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19YuhRVLMs/
Help Stop the Spread of Misinformation
Before sharing election-related or public affairs information, verify whether it comes from credible and official sources. If you encounter suspicious claims, images or videos, submit them to iVerify Zambia for verification.
Email: factcheck@panos.org.zm
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Together, we can reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation, promote access to accurate and verified information, and help protect the integrity of public discourse.
